The US said on Sunday the first face-to-face meeting between senior US and Taliban officials since the hardline group retook power in Afghanistan was “candid and professional” and that the US side reiterated that the Taliban would be judged on their actions, not just their words.

State department spokesman Ned Price said the US delegation at the weekend talks in Doha, Qatar, focused on security and terrorism concerns and safe passage for US citizens, other foreign nationals and Afghans, as well as on human rights, including the meaningful participation of women and girls in all aspects of Afghan society.

He said the two sides also discussed “the US’s provision of robust humanitarian assistance, directly to the Afghan people”. “The discussions were candid and professional with the US delegation reiterating that the Taliban will be judged on its actions, not only its words,” Price said.

The foreign ministry in Kabul said the two-day meeting went well.

It welcomed the US offer of humanitarian assistance and said local authorities would facilitate delivery and cooperate with aid groups but said such assistance “should not be linked to political issues”.

“Detailed discussions were held during the meeting about all relevant issues. And efforts should be exerted to restore diplomatic relations to a better state,” the ministry said in a statement.